Freedom Riders Motorcycle Association of Northern Ontario, Inc.
Freedom Riders Motorcycle Association of Northern Ontario, Inc.
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| The Freedom Riders Motorcycle Association of Northern Ontario was formed on February 19th, 1989 after the Bikers' Rights Organization (B.R.O.) Sudbury ceased operations, and was incorporated on March 13th, 1989. The club was briefly known as Northern Thunder but the name was soon changed to Freedom Riders. Jim Macleod was the founding president and the club had 56 members in its inaugural year. Gord Bailey was the only member to belong to B.R.O., Northern Thunder and the Freedom Riders. Each season the Freedom Riders participated in both the Garson and Sudbury Santa Clause parades with a float fully decorated and adorned with motorcycles. This tradition continues today with the Club's participation in the Sudbury Santa Claus Parade every March. For many years the club held an annual fund raising B.B.Q. at the Val Est Loeb's grocery store in Val Caron and also hosted a Poker Run and a "Steak 'n' Beans". Through the two events, it was able to donate $5,000.00 to the Telemedia Children's Trust Fund. The Freedom Riders have also donated money and toys to the Sudbury Algoma Hospital for treating emotionally disturbed children, the New Liskeard Salvation Army, and even donated an electric wheelchair to the Valley East Lions Community Service Club. Since 1994, the Freedom Riders have held their Annual Freedom Rally at the Mine Mill Campground on the Civic Holiday long weekend at the beginning of every August. Over the years, we have had motorcyclists attend from New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Jersey, Ohio and North Carolina, as well as from across Ontario and even as far away as Belgium. Thanks to the great turnout that over the past 15 years, the Club has managed to donate $9,000.00 to the Telemedia Children's Trust Fund, $2,000.00 to the Children's Wish Foundation, $500.00 to the MCTV/Lions Club Christmas Telethon, $500.00 to the War Amps CHAMP Program and $500.00 to the Special Olympics Committee.
Pediatric Burn-Scar Garment Fund Donation - 2007From 2005 to 2008, the new local cause of choice is the Sudbury Regional Hospital's Pediatric Burn-Scar Garment Fund, created to help offset the family expenses for a burn healing treatment known as "second skin" which are not covered by O.H.I.P. or medical health plans. To date the Club has been privileged to be able to have donated $6,260.00 to the fund and a further $3,000.00 donation has been approved for 2009.
Pediatric Burn-Scar Garment Fund Donation - 2009 Freedom Riders have also donated 1,022.5 Volunteer hours to the Special Olympics by supplying security at the Olympic Villages. Everyone felt honored and privileged to meet such dedicated and determined athletes. We have also put in countless volunteer hours providing security for such events as the Big Snow Squall Snowmobile Racing Spectacular, Muscular Dystrophy Summerfest and the National and Provincial Boxing Tournaments at the Ontario National Boxing Academy in Azilda.
The Freedom Bears In The AirFrom 2001 to 2004 we were able give thousands of dollars worth of teddy bears per year to the local Air Ambulance's "Bears In The Air" program. Each child that has to be flown aboard the air ambulance is given a teddy bear. Thanks to Mike Steinman of the local dispatch for helping to coordinate the donations and letting us get some cool pics. We were also allowed to climb in the chopper and check it out from the inside. We are grateful that we are able to help out in this unique way. In recent years Freedom Riders have attended the Temiskaming Ride for Sight Dance, the Ride for Sight Pennant Run, the Ride for Sight, the Ottawa Rally in the Valley, the Temiskaming Road Riders Rally, Sturgis, the Waterloo Wings Cyclefest, the Temiskaming, North Bay and Sudbury Toy Runs, The Toronto Bike Shows and many other BBQ's, rides, parties and other gatherings. Members also make pilgrimages to the big rallies including Laconia, Americade, Daytona Bike Week, and Sturgis. As you can see, we have a long history of enjoying motorcycling while also making worthwhile contributions to our community! |
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